Staggered Double-Shoot Disc Drill for Tight Row Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional disc drills face challenges in reducing the spacing between parallel rows of deposited agricultural products to achieve higher crop density and efficient fertilizer diffusion, as the weight and complexity of the implement increase with additional rows, making it difficult to tow and maintain structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a disc drill with two sections of row units, where one section includes single-shoot row units and the other includes double-shoot row units arranged in a staggered geometry, allowing for closer row spacing without increasing the overall weight and complexity, by using a structural frame to support both types of row units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If additional rows of row units are added to reduce the distance between parallel rows of deposited agricultural product, then the crop density and fertilizer diffusion efficiency are improved, but the weight and dimensions of the disc drill increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension by stacking row units at different heights (upper and lower row units) while maintaining a staggered horizontal arrangement. This three-dimensional configuration allows multiple rows of agricultural products to be deposited with reduced spacing without proportionally increasing the overall footprint and weight of the implement, as the row units share common structural components in the vertical dimension.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the frame structure to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it supports both upper and lower row units, provides staggered positioning for multiple rows, and enables deposition of different agricultural products (seeds and fertilizer) in an integrated manner. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate structural components for each row, thereby limiting weight increase while achieving higher crop density.
2Quantity of substance
If additional rows of row units are added to reduce the distance between parallel rows of deposited agricultural product, then the crop density is improved, but the complexity of the frame structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the support structures for upper and lower row units into a shared frame system. The frame elements serve both rows simultaneously, with common mounting points, support beams, and adjustment mechanisms. This merging approach allows multiple rows to be accommodated without proportionally increasing structural complexity, as the same structural components perform multiple support functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the frame structure into modular components that can independently support different row units. Each row unit can be adjusted and positioned separately while sharing the overall frame framework. This segmentation allows for flexible configuration of multiple rows without requiring a completely complex integrated structure, simplifying the overall design while achieving reduced row spacing.
3Productivity
If additional rows of row units are added to reduce the distance between parallel rows of deposited agricultural product, then the fertilizer diffusion efficiency is improved, but the power required to tow the disc drill increases
Solution Approach 1:
By arranging row units in a vertical stack with staggered horizontal positioning, the patent enables fertilizer to be deposited in multiple layers and positions simultaneously. This three-dimensional deposition pattern enhances fertilizer diffusion efficiency by distributing nutrients across different depths and lateral positions in the soil, while the shared vertical structure minimizes the power penalty compared to horizontal expansion.
4Length of moving object
If the distance between parallel rows is reduced to achieve higher crop density, then the row spacing is improved, but the minimum separation distance between row units cannot be maintained with conventional single-row configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the row spacing limitation by transitioning from a single horizontal row to a multi-level vertical arrangement with staggered positioning. Upper and lower row units are offset horizontally, allowing the effective row spacing to be reduced while maintaining adequate physical separation between individual row unit components. This vertical-staggered configuration achieves tighter effective spacing without compromising structural integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
Disc drill agricultural implements are configured to form product rows in a planting surface of a field. The disc drill may include two different sections of row units, the first section containing single-shoot row units and the second section containing double-shoot row units. The configuration may be used to produce three sets of product rows which may be used placement of seeds, fertilizer and/or other agricultural products.